The well-being and values of immigrant parents have a major impact on their children's well-being, according to research published recently.

The findings based on the longitudinal survey, the New Canadian Children and Youth Study, which involved a team of researchers from across Canada, focus on newcomer mainland Chinese, Hong Kong Chinese, and Filipino children and youth living in large cities.

Links between parents' and children's well-being

Researchers have generated multiple studies from the national survey. One such study suggests a number of parental factors can both contribute to and prevent emotional problems. Children's emotional problems, as reported by parents, were linked to parents' lack of English or French fluency and feelings of stress associated with living in a different culture (acculturation stress). In addition, parents who reported feelings of depression and who had perceived prejudice in Canada had children who were more physically aggressive.

Regional, age-related and gender differences

Another study identified a number of differences among the various groups. Children in Toronto were at highest risk for emotional problems, followed by those in Montreal.

In Montreal, immigrant parents' depression and lack of linguistic fluency were the greatest factors in increased emotional problems among immigrant children. In Toronto, however, higher emotional risks for children came from social and community-based factors. These centred on lack of human and social capital (valuable social networks such as friends, relatives or neighbours), poor home-school relationships, marginalization, and lack of neighborhood organization.

Younger children (those aged 4 to 6) were more likely to be physically aggressive than the older children in study (aged 11 to 13). Boys were more likely to be physically aggressive than girls.

However, one should be cautious to interpret these findings because of the selection bias of the participants: only those who volunteered were included.

Work-related stress and impact on children

Dr. Joanna Anneke Rummens, research scientist at the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, and a lead researcher on the study, observes that many newcomer parents face difficulties in having their credentials, training, and professional experience recognized in a new country. "All too often it means that newcomer parents need to work more than one low-paying job to support their family. This takes time away from family and children, and means that they have relatively less time to be fully available, active, and present in their role as parents." She further states: "Whatever we can do to support adult immigrants who come to our country to facilitate their labour market integration and support their successful resettlement and integration helps that family and thereby helps the children."

Factors that promote children's emotional well-being

While settling in a new country can be extremely stressful, some key factors can help children's well-being. One strand of the research found that parents' positive views of school were strongly linked with less emotional distress in children and less child physical aggression. To gain this insight, researchers assessed parents' level of agreement with the following statements about their children's schools.

- It is important to get good grades in this school.

- Most children in this school enjoy being there.

- Parents are made to feel welcome in this school.

- Children are very proud of their school.

- This school offers parents opportunities to be involved in school activities.

- Children are safe in this school.

Children were more emotionally stable where parents valued education and believed that their children's schools offered a welcoming environment. Adds Dr. Rummens: "Given that children spend most of their day in school, anything that we can do to make this a welcoming, understanding and supportive environment for our newcomer immigrant and refugee children is critically important. What is good for the parent, supports the child. What is good for the child, supports the parent."

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